Returning from a few days on Heron Island after presenting his film “The Grey Fox” at the Sydney Film Festival, the late Phillip Borsos with his future bride, artist Beret Paulson, both of Vancouver BC Canada.

For over a hundred years the motion picture film industry has created a legacy of different film gauges and film types, manufactured for both the domestic and professional markets. Personal and institutional film collections contain material in a range of conditions resulting from variables such as the original manufacturing and processing methods and materials, and storage and handling specifics. Understanding the effect these elements have on the physical and chemical properties of film is central to the long-term preservation of motion picture film collections. This leaflet aims to provide general information for the care of film collections. For details on identification, deterioration, care and storage of specific film types, refer to the additional resources listed.

Structure of motion picture film

All motion picture film has a basic composite structure (see below) consisting of a binder layer containing the image forming substance on a flexible plastic support. The emulsion or binder, the photographic image and the film base can be affected by different deterioration mechanisms. The plastic support or base can be cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate or polyester, and each base can have differing deterioration. For further information on film construction, bases and deterioration, refer to the additional resources listed. The National Film and Sound Archive’s film preservation handbook is a good reference:http://www.nfsa.gov.au/preservation/handbook/

The structure of black and white film

The basic structure of colour film

Film types

Many movies found in home collections are original reversal films. Reversal film is exposed in the camera, and then processed using additional steps so that the image forms a positive or transparency (like slide film), rather than a negative image. Though economical (film print not required), this means that extra care should be taken to protect this original item during projection and handling. It is also not uncommon for home collections to have negatives and prints of films. In this case, the negative held is often the original, and the print is a copy derived from this (in some cases only the print copy will exist). Release prints of commercially available films are also often found in collections.

Sound

Sound tracks using magnetic and optical systems can be found on many home movies. Magnetic audio tracks were produced either during manufacture directly onto raw film stock, or were striped onto the film by hand assisted striping devices. This combination is complex to preserve, as magnetic tracks have conflicting preservation requirements to the celluloid film on which they reside. Magnetic tracks must be kept away from any magnetic fields around the home (generated by appliances such as televisions etc.) and should be kept under moderate temperatures and humidity. Optical sound tracks are produced by photographic exposure onto the film and are most commonly found on commercial release prints. Since these are created by the same photo-chemical process as the image itself (halides and dyes etc.) they need no additional preservation precautions but are subject to considerations such as dye and image fade and scratching etc.

Bases

Cellulose Acetate Deterioration
Majority of home movie collections are filmed on acetate cellulose base film, rather than cellulose nitrate and polyester. The table below shows the distinct stages of acetate deterioration.

Stage

Deterioration description

1

Film gives off a vinegar (acetic acid) odour, early signs of base shrinkage and embrittlement. Film is still usable but it is important to duplicate if film considered important. Affected film should be isolated from other collections at this stage. Regular testing of acidity levels with A-D strips (see Supplier List) should begin at this stage. If possible, place film in suitable cold storage to slow down deterioration.

2

Film begins to distort dramatically and shrinkage increases. Shrinkage greater than 1% is problematic for motion picture film.

3

Base embrittlement and shrinkage increases, film in this condition can be easily damaged due to lost flexibility. Bubbles form between emulsion layer and base. Film is rendered unusable from this stage onwards.

4

As the gelatin binder does not shrink at the same rate as the base, dimensional stress occurs causing the gelatin to separate from the base. This affects the image quality significantly. Formation of white crystals can occur on the film surface.

5

Film becomes either flaccid or crystalline and emulsion layer becomes sticky.

Storage and handling recommendations

It is well documented that proper climate control leads to significant improvement in the chemical stability of both acetate and nitrate film, and chromogenic colour images. Lower temperatures and drier conditions slow down the degradation rate appreciably. Stringent ISO standards are available for film storage and many institutions with large film collections and well-funded preservation programs use these standards as guidelines, adapting them to their own collection requirements. As the cold storage vaults recommended by the ISO standards are expensive and costly to maintain (as low temperature as possible, 20-30% RH), this approach is not practical for most small organisations and home collectors, and creating a stable environment can prove challenging.

Listed below are a number of simple and affordable methods of improving your film’s storage and handling conditions.

Minimise fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity by locating storage areas away from external walls and sources of heat and moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Ensure storage areas have good air movement, avoiding stagnant air pockets. The use of strategically positioned fans can assist with this.

Be aware that significant daily fluctuations can occur when air conditioning units are switched on during the day and off at night.

Create a buffer against ambient conditions by placing films in archival quality film cans.

Keep area clean and regularly check for pest and mould activity.

Re-house films by obtaining new plastic cans that meet the Photographic Activity Test (ISO 14523) (such as those made from polypropylene or polystyrene, please see Suppliers List). Discarding old metal cans and cardboard boxes will help create a relatively chemically inert micro-environment.

All foreign matter such as paper and rubber bands should be removed (but don’t forget to store copies of any useful information about the films).

New leader can be attached to the start and end of films for added protection, and clear labeling should be carried out on both the film leader and the film can.

Store cans horizontally on open metal shelving to maximize air movement. Cans should not be over-stacked, ensuring pressure on the films is minimised.

Domestic fridges or freezers can be used to create a cold storage environment for small numbers of films. Specially designed individual packaging of films is essential to minimise risk of condensation (for further information please contact SLQ Conservation Unit).

Handling

Surface dirt and other residual matter can not only commonly affect the appearance of a film, but also trigger deterioration. Dust is attracted to film through static electricity, and dirt and sticky residue build up over time such as during use on projector mechanisms and by the effects of decomposing film splicing tape. The cleaning of film should be approached with caution to ensure that further damage will not be incurred. Please seek professional advice first.

Considerable physical damage can occur to films if not handled correctly. Films should be checked for signs of physical damage by carefully examining over a light box with film winding arms, or by rewinding the film on a projector (without passing through the film gate). Tears, perforation and edge damage can all cause further destruction if not physically repaired before projecting. Projection equipment should be checked and thoroughly cleaned before use, paying special attention to the film gate. Scratches to the film (black vertical lines represent ‘base scratching’ and white or coloured lines represent ‘emulsion scratching’) can be avoid with careful projection and projector maintenance and good handling techniques. When winding a film, be careful not to ‘cinch’ it by allowing the film to tighten suddenly. The effects of cinching can be seen as horizontal scratches and can also be incurred while the film is in transit if it is wound too loosely.

Duplication

Creating access copies of the films for viewing such as a digital file (refer to Film Transfers List), will help protect original films from the effects of over-use. Storing film copies separately to the original films, such as in separate areas of the house or off-site to your home, will assist in creating a back-up system in case of disasters such as flooding and fires. After a transfer is made, it is very important to preserve the original film material. It is also likely you will need to create further copies on new home media in the future due to the constantly evolving technology market, and the relatively short commercial and physical life span of digital and analogue video media.

Front and reverse side of advertising card sent from Taipei to Russell Crowe care of his mid-north coast NSW farm.

At what must have been a fair investment of time and thought , Mr. Crowe’s personal assistant located the sender by phone book (no postal address had been given) and offered to send, as a gift, this personally signed postcard.

This happened several months after the original postage. PROOF Mr Russell Crowe is more of a gentleman than many imagine.

R.Marlin Perkins – host of TV show in USA “Wild Kingdom” at Saumarez Reef in 1971. Cameraman Ralph J Nelson hired me to pick up 16mm underwater shots (cut-a-ways). We worked The Swains and then Saumarez. Sea snakes and sharks were the agenda. Almost did a night dive with a 22 foot Tiger shark under the boat. Ralph called it off at the last-minute – we were all geared up with tanks on our back, in the dinghy and ready to drop over the side into the darkness. Maybe Ralph was playing chicken to see who’d crack and complain first? He called it off at that point. Fortunately.

Back by popular demand. Theatre had 624 seats. Full house every night. Simple poster at left tested demand. Better poster (at right) was for return showings. Ron narrated his 16mm films live while I played background music from records borrowed from radio station 2UW (who did our advertising). Slide show was excellent quality 6×6 medium format shots taken with a wide-angle Rolleiflex. Film being projected was 16mm Kodachrome ORIGINAL footage and very sharp and colorful. Picture filled the screen top to bottom.

I paid Ron 75% of the profits. We were both happy with that.

For other future shows where the film was sound-tracked and not requiring any live narration by Ron, the split would have been 50-50 after expenses.